McGregor’s foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) and Russell lupin (Lupinus polyphyllus) seeds used to be in the Native Seed/Wildflower range. However, this caused confusion, because although they are wildflowers, they are not native to New Zealand. They are naturalised and are commonly found in poor soils across the country.

Both are attractive plants commonly grown in cottage gardens. They are attractive to bees and other beneficial pollinators.

However, all parts of the foxglove are poisonous, and care should be taken to prevent children from contacting or consuming them. They will invade poor pasture, but they are not palatable to stock.

The Russell lupin, although often seen in scenic photographs of New Zealand’s South Island rivers and valleys, it is a garden escapee and was planted by well meaning ‘beautification’ programmes in the past. It is invasive in wild places and changes the ecology of riverbeds. In many cases they are controlled to protect native species.

The seeds are intended for sowing in home gardens only and we do not recommend their use in wild places or where they could spread onto farmland or uncontrolled spaces.